The USS Bastion (ACM-6) was a Chimo-class minelayer constructed during World War II, originally serving as the USAMP Colonel Henry J. Hunt (MP-2). Built in 1942 at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, by the Marietta Manufacturing Co., she was initially part of the U.S. Army Mine Planter Service. The vessel was acquired by the U.S. Navy on 4 January 1945, renamed Bastion, and converted into an auxiliary minelayer. She was commissioned at Charleston, South Carolina, on 9 April 1945 under the command of Lt. Earl D. Fatkin, USNR. Following her commissioning, Bastion departed Charleston on 17 June 1945 for the Pacific Theatre, transiting the Panama Canal on 23 June and arriving in San Diego on 7 July 1945. She reported to the Minesweeping Force Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in August 1945 and subsequently arrived in the Marianas Islands on 22 August 1945. Despite her classification as a minelayer, Bastion performed minesweeping and repair duties throughout the Marianas during August and September 1945, and continued similar operations in the Ryukyu Islands from October to December 1945. She then moved to Japan in December 1945, where she supported minesweeping and repair activities during the occupation until March 1946. Bastion returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 18 June 1946 in San Francisco. She was transferred immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard and renamed USCGC Jonquil (WAGL/WLB-330). As a Coast Guard buoy tender assigned to the Fifth District out of Portsmouth, Virginia, Jonquil served from 1946 to 1969, performing aids to navigation, search and rescue, and law enforcement duties. Notable activities include assisting grounded vessels, towing disabled ships, firefighting, and standing by vessels in distress along the East Coast. After a distinguished 23-year career in the Coast Guard, Jonquil was decommissioned on 15 September 1969. Her service highlights the vessel’s versatility, transitioning from a World War II minelayer to a vital auxiliary and rescue ship, contributing significantly to maritime safety and operations in both military and civilian roles.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.